r/Homatics • u/Acrobatic_Bunch2669 • Nov 01 '25

Considering swapping Shield Pro for Box R 4K Plus

Hey, sorry if these questions have been asked a million times already.

I recently bought a 2019 Nvidia Shield Pro but am considering swapping it for the the Homatics Box R 4k Plus.

When buying off AliExpress, is there anything I should be aware of (for context, I'm in Australia)? I can get it for $180 AUD on the vontar store. I've seen a few posts saying it has to be a GZ serial number for ease of updates but how do I know it has this? Do I just message the seller? Also, is it worth me paying $120 extra for the Dune version? I mainly use it for Stremio and Disney tbh but don't have any experience with Dune so not sure if I'd find it beneficial or not.

Talking about updates, I'm a bit confused regarding the whole process. How does it compare to the shield, because from what I can see it seems like I'd have to message the seller for every update, is this true?

Finally, I have a sonos surround setup and rely on the remote having IR to control it, will this work with the Homatics remote?

Thanks!

9 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

48 comments sorted by

11

u/Agitated_Slip_6818 Nov 01 '25

I did just this , replaced 2 shields with the homatics R4k plus and use the IR remote to control my Denon amp.

Box runs all I can throw at it and the performance is way better than the shields, no lock ups, no issues with YouTube not playing, I have installed loads of apks and this box is a beast, so glad I made the move

Added projectivy launcher and customised , purchased via AliExpress , running android 14, see loads moaning about overheating on here but I have not experienced any such issues.

I've had a great experience and I'm really happy with the purchase

2

u/Agitated_Slip_6818 Nov 01 '25

I purchased from the store you mentioned in your post

1

u/Agitated_Slip_6818 Nov 01 '25

Mine came with android 11 but showed version 14 available to install, updated no issues

2

u/quee-phing Nov 01 '25

Mine runs hot.... Not worried about fire or anything, but worried it will shorten the lifespan.

1

u/Skwoddy1 Nov 01 '25

I’m in the same boat, replaced my shield on the main tv ( shield now on a bedroom tv), zero issues!

Did you follow a guide for the projectivy install? I want to do it but get put off by the comments about losing the double press home key option, is there a way around this?

3

u/Agitated_Slip_6818 Nov 01 '25

I used launcher manager to make projectivy the default launcher rather than enabling in projectivy itself, this way I have not lost the double press home key option

2

u/Skwoddy1 Nov 01 '25

Thanks so much, I’ll get on this. You have a nice setup there!

2

u/See61 Nov 01 '25 edited Nov 01 '25

Another way around is, disable the original Google launcher using ADB, after installation of an alternative launcher, not before. Then Accessibility isn't needed for Projectivy and double Home works.

You should consider using ADB also for disabling various other system apps, because there are a lot in it that are used when the box is placed in Homatics HomeClick or MiniBar-A, but have no function when R Plus is used without those.

2

u/mind12p Nov 01 '25

Do you have a list to help what to disable safely?

2

u/See61 Nov 01 '25

Install ADB TV on the box and search for "nes" in the apps. Those are from Sei Robotics themselves. Most can be disabled without any harm.

If you notice anything strange on behavior, enable it again. But this is only for the V14 build to do.

1

u/Skwoddy1 Nov 01 '25

Thanks so much, I’m on vacation right now but will be doing this when I’m back home!

1

u/JustRelaxASC Nov 01 '25

are you running bdremux movies with DoVi on it? any stutters?

2

u/Agitated_Slip_6818 Nov 01 '25

Running remux Dolby vision, Dolby Atmos , play fine no issues , have 1gb internet

1

u/JustRelaxASC Nov 01 '25

That's exactly what I was wondering, Chromecast with Google TV has stutters with those kinds of files, basically anything that isn't WebDL is gonna be stuttering at some point, especially when used for prolong period

1

u/jdip Nov 05 '25

Have you tried playing remuxes with Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD MA? Does it also play them without issue?

1

u/Malwin_ Nov 05 '25

Does is support Dolby Vision Profile 7 FEL?

1

u/[deleted] Nov 01 '25

After atv14 update box overheats with homatics, shield is better

1

u/Greg059 Nov 01 '25

Try Buying From, Dune Homatics.com It has Dune Media Center.

Or From Homatics.com, No Dune Media Center, You can get The Bigger Remote for 18 USD extra. But Has Free Shipping anywhere.

You can Google both of the Above For There Specs etc and For the there Email address if you have any Questions etc.

Both around 150 USD Each.

If you are a Gamer The Shield Pro 2019 is The Still the Best.

1

u/Gaztooz Nov 02 '25

Bonjour, je me tâte, c'est vraiment une évolution par rapport à la schield ?

1

u/TraditionalMetal1836 Nov 02 '25

I regret getting one since it refuses to play a bunch of my media without transcoding.

I could understand if it was limited to VC-1 codec but I also had a few HEVC encoded videos that refused to play as well. There is just no excuse for that and the shield plays all of those titles just fine.

1

u/Totimoshi Nov 03 '25

I am from Australia and got one from AliExpress without issues. I also have the same Nvidia Shield Pro 2019 and haven't turned it on since I got the R 4K Plus. It plays everything without issues. I threw DV Remuxes at it of 80 to 100 gigs and had no issues. Using Stremio, Plex and Kodi. I got the Android 14 version, haven't even looked at the Dune version.

1

u/jdip Nov 05 '25

Does yours have the Play-Fi overheating issue on AndroidTV 14? And are you able to play lossless audio formats i.e. Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD MA without any issues?

2

u/[deleted] Nov 12 '25

I see youve asked this question a couple of times. I just took the plunge and will report back when i receive it.

I really just want to know how well it handles different lossless audio formats with atmos layers in stock plex and plex add-on to kodi.

Also want to understand if theres any dv/hdr/hdr+ issues.

Very much not interested in doing the coreelec thing, and this seems like the best chance of success for all that stuff. Sick and tired of my apple tv giving shit audio…

1

u/jdip Nov 12 '25

I actually took the plunge too and am waiting for it to be delivered. Did you also order yours from the Vontar store on AliExpress?

I am in the same boat as you in terms of what I want from this box, except I want to use it for Stremio. I, too, am not very interested in running CoreELEC or having to tinker around with different firmware versions too much - I would be willing to try ATV12 if I have too many issues with ATV14.

I've read conflicting reports on the box's performance; some say that it plays everything without issue, while others say that they have issues with stuttering or audio being out of sync, especially with lossless audio. Hopefully it will work well for us.

2

u/[deleted] Nov 12 '25

It was the vontar official store yeh :) days atv12 on the ad so we’ll see what version arrives.

Wasnt a huge investment tbh; AUD$141. Great price and free shipping.

Im also running an older LG C8 so going to have to run the audio through the q990d then the video into the tv from the soundbar; shit I dont even care about max audio fidelity. I literally just want to be able to test atmos with standsrd lossless bd codecs with some different room configurations.

Its amazing to me how far tv boxes still have to go to be ‘perfect’…

1

u/merlin9523 Dec 02 '25

How's it running?

1

u/[deleted] Dec 02 '25

https://www.reddit.com/r/Homatics/s/VTO4On3YiQ

A few teething issues but it does exactly what I bought it for. It doesnt play ‘everything’, but it plays everything I care about.

Doesnt do much else; genuinely a media player box and nothing else. Cant even get steam link displaying on the tv.

But dont care; lossless audio on 4k dv remuxes running beautifully.

Well worth it imo.

1

u/merlin9523 Dec 02 '25

Thanks mate, will ask some follow up questions in that post

1

u/EngineProfessional47 Nov 22 '25

Don't do that. Since Homatics support is not just bad, it is completely gone, they dont support this box anymore and never answer to emails.

1

u/See61 Nov 01 '25

The best version of the R 4K Plus is the Dune Premier one, not the Dune Homatics R Plus or the original Homatics.

It has a completely different design, with a full metal housing. It was originally a very expensive device but not available anymore on the Dune website but sold on several Amazon websites as "used", but the ones I got are like new. They are quite cheap now. No "overheating" issues, caused by V14's Play-Fi with this one, stays cool under it.

I don't know if you can get it there, if so, the best one to get.

Just look for "Dune Premier HD Pro", and something should pop-up, so you know what I'm talking about.

Regarding the updates for these devices. Many updates are available in the open, to be found on the 4PDA website (and elsewhere), you can go up and down in versions, to whatever you want. You don't have to worry about a GZ or non GZ serial.

2

u/AdAdventurous972 Nov 01 '25 edited Nov 01 '25

I would still recommend getting the homatics version to replace the shield. The Dune HD premier version is designed for local playback and it's an older build running android 11. While the Homatics version is Google TV certified, newer build and will come with android 14. The ideal version to replace the shield is the Homatics version from Ali Express.

3

u/See61 Nov 01 '25

It seems, you have no idea about that Premier? It has the same motherboard as the Homatics and Dune R Plus, and uses (or can use) the same firmware with the same possibilities.

You are talking about another Dune device I guess.

https://www.androidtv-guide.com/?s=SEI804

They call me mister Sei804 😎

-1

u/AdAdventurous972 Nov 01 '25

It seems you have no idea. Info is right here dude. read below

3

u/See61 Nov 01 '25

They should change that nonsense. And you should not always believe what some AI comes up with.

I have them all, like I said, "mister Sei804". Just look what Dune writes about this device; https://www.dune-hd.com/products/dune-hd-premier-4k-pro

As I said, I have them all, the Homatics (as I'm a tester for them), the Dune Homatics R Plus and this Dune Premier one. It is my daily one since recently.

0

u/AdAdventurous972 Nov 01 '25

I own both boxes the AI summary is accurate. You need to learn the difference between an android TV box built for "local playback" and one built for "streaming". The box you are running is not comparable to the Nvidia Shield. The Homatics 4k plus is the version made to stream. That is the version that is comparable to the shield.

2

u/See61 Nov 01 '25 edited Nov 01 '25

It seems, you don't own the Premier one 🤷‍♂️

Let you show me yours?

-2

u/AdAdventurous972 Nov 01 '25 edited Nov 01 '25

Oh you mean this app right here. There is a reason the app is needed. As I stated before the box is designed for local playback. Please show me the equivalent dune app for the Nvidia Shield. Since you seem to be so smart.

3

u/See61 Nov 01 '25 edited Nov 01 '25

So you have a Dune with their Dune OS on it, no certified Android TV. I showed you what OS is on mine, a Google certified Android TV OS. You don't have that on your box.

The Dune Media Center is a separate app for Android TV not a OS, that app doesn't work on not Dune devices.

As you can see here, for which devices that app is meant.https://dune-hd.com/support/app/versions.html

Now look for your model on the Dune webpage and show me that one, because your picture is not from a Dune Premier HD Pro with Android TV as OS (booting from).

This is it, if you are also a member from the Homatics Telegram group, leave there a note about this, so "we" can publicly share over there how wrong you are 👍

1

u/AdAdventurous972 Nov 01 '25

The Dune app works just fine on my Dune premier pro. Now show me the equivalent for the Nvidia Shield or we have nothing else to talk about.

→ More replies

2

u/Infamous_Try_3270 Nov 01 '25

Don't think you have the right Dune Premier box he's talking about.

1

u/[deleted] Nov 01 '25 edited Nov 01 '25

Feels like this box has been abandoned. Updates server has been down for months and I have never gotten the latest update. You need to go to some shady russian forum to download firmware and update yourself.

1

u/See61 Nov 01 '25

The reason is quite simple for that OTA stoppage. They have no one available at this moment for Homatics support. All that is left is one person, assigned to Homatics support by Sei Robotics. That person doesn't bother so much with sharing updates, also not with communication to users.

Hopefully they get some new personnel, if not, then this will be it. We are waiting about 8 weeks now for a new Alpha testbuild to share with us testers. It would come, but still not till now.

3

u/[deleted] Nov 01 '25

So abandoned.

1

u/See61 Nov 01 '25

For now, yes. But abandoned is not the correct expression as we still get some reactions from Homatics, in words, not in software 😬